2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a blend of affordability and engineering excellence that was often compared to higher-end brands like BMW. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a slightly quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and a pleasing design. For 2020, the Civic received updates like new wheels, bumpers, and lighting options, enhancing its already appealing aesthetic.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its award-winning 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its dramatic and sophisticated styling. The sedan offered a more conservative look, while the hatchback, known as the Mazda3 Sport, had an aggressive, forward-leaning appearance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, added a touch of luxury with features like all-wheel drive and premium interior options. The interior was designed with a focus on the driver, offering high-quality materials and a two-tone colour scheme that elevated the car's premium feel. Despite some limitations in rear-seat space and storage, the Mazda3's attention to design detail and execution of metallic accents made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and refined compact car.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, standard on the hatchback and available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 horsepower, depending on the model. The Civic Si and Type R models offered even more power, with the Si boasting 205 horsepower and the Type R an impressive 306 horsepower. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si and Type R providing thrilling driving experiences. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, despite a stiffer ride and some turbo lag.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet with 87-octane. The engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, enhancing corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight but significantly boosted performance, offering smooth and predictable acceleration. The Mazda3 Turbo's Sport mode adjusted transmission and G-Vectoring Control Plus for improved handling, while stiffer suspension components enhanced its sporty feel. Despite its power, the Mazda3 Turbo maintained a balanced and enjoyable driving experience, with a focus on smoothness and consistency.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a spacious interior, with the hatchback providing the most cargo space at 728 litres behind the rear seats and 1,302 litres with them folded. The sedan's trunk held 416 litres, while the coupe offered 343 litres. The Civic's interior featured a conventional shifter, a deep centre console with configurable storage, and a three-spoke steering wheel with easy-to-use controls. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was a notable oversight. The Civic's interior updates for 2019, including a volume knob and improved cupholders, enhanced its practicality and user-friendliness.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo's interior was lined with leather and equipped with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, creating a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as ventilated front seats and rear-seat amenities like air vents and USB ports. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat did not. Trunk space in the sedan measured 374 litres, while the hatchback provided 569 litres behind the rear seats and 1,334 litres with them folded. The Mazda3's interior was driver-focused, with adequate storage for personal items but limited rear-seat space.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on most models. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, and a 450-watt stereo. Honda Sensing, standard on all trims, offered advanced safety features like lane centring and adaptive cruise control. The Civic's technology package was comprehensive, though the infotainment system's complexity and dated graphics were drawbacks.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice recognition were significant issues. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, offering excellent sound quality. The Premium Package included a head-up display, showing speed and safety information. Despite its flaws, the Mazda3's technology package aimed to enhance the driving experience, though the infotainment system's limitations were a source of frustration.

The 2020 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests, except for the Type R, which wasn't tested. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test for the coupe.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 emphasized driver engagement with its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The Mazda3 Turbo's Premium Package included exclusive safety features like a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.